This is a widespread lie and revisionist propaganda that needs to die. The natives were never "enslaved". They weren't bought and sold; they weren't forced to come to live on the missions; and they didn't become anyone's property.
When the missioners were sent to California by the Spanish Crown, their charge was to introduce the natives to Christianity, and to make them civilized citizens so that they could adapt to Spanish rule. They were invited to live on the mission lands, but once they were accepted they were bound to obey the rules of the community.
Spain, which had just recently emerged from a 700 year war to take back it's country from the Moslems, was still a feudal society where there was a very strict hierarchical structure with peasants at the bottom and royalty at the top (in California the governing officials represented the Crown-- thus they were called "viceroys"). So basically, the Indians in California were treated no worse (or better) than those of the same social status in Spain.
Thanks. Excellent insights and what I believe to be true, too.
“The natives were never “enslaved”. They weren’t bought and sold; they weren’t forced to come to live on the missions; and they didn’t become anyone’s property.”
You haven’t t a clue of what you’re talking about. I know for a fact that everything you deny actually took place. My great grandmother experienced it firsthand.